Magnetic tape drive

ABSTRACT

Peripheral magnetic tape drives are disclosed herein. The disclosed peripheral magnetic tape drive comprises: a housing; a SAS compliant tape drive module; a power supply and a USB-C to SAS assembly. The SAS compliant tape drive module, the power supply and the USB-C to SAS assembly are disposed within the housing. The power supply module is operatively coupled to the tape drive module to supply +12V and +5V power thereto. The USB-C to SAS assembly is operatively connected to the tape drive module using a SAS data channel. The USB-C to SAS assembly is configured to enable the peripheral magnetic tape drive to interface a USB-C compliant device with the SAS compliant tape drive module. The USB-C to SAS assembly is further operatively coupled to the power supply to receive +12V power. The USB-C to SAS assembly may send and receive data using a Thunderbolt® 3 protocol.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to, and incorporates byreference in its entirety, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/634,597, entitled “Magnetic Tape Drive”, filed on Feb. 23, 2018.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to computer peripheral devices.More particularly, the present invention relates to an external magnetictape drive employing a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB-C) connector.

Background and Description of Related Art

Peripheral devices for use with desktop computer systems are well known.Common peripheral devices include printers, monitors, and disk drives.In some cases, users need a way to back up and/or store a massive amountof data. Magnetic tapes have long been a preferred medium for such largedata stores.

Presently, peripheral magnetic tape drives employ relatively slow andlow-bandwidth data transfer protocols with bulky connectors. Such tapedrives are limited by the existing interfacing connection of a tapedrive to a desktop computer running Microsoft Windows or Apple's MAC OS10+ operating systems. Traditionally tape drives use a SAS(serial-attached-SCSI) connection, and in order to use such a tapedrive, one would need an expansion PCI-e SAS interface card insertedinto one's computer, assuming there is an available and powerful enoughexpansion bay. Unfortunately, laptops do not have any PCI-e expansioncapabilities.

Accordingly, there is a need for a peripheral magnetic tape drive thatcan interface with a laptop computer without additional hardware. Thetape drive of the present application allows a user easily to connect toa Desktop or Laptop computer with a USB-C connector rather than theuncommon SAS adapter. The tape drive of the present application isfurther compatible with a protocol referred to commercially asThunderbolt® 3.

SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an improved magnetictape drive device that substantially obviates one or more problemsresulting from the limitations and deficiencies of the related art.

According to a first embodiment of the present application, Applicantdiscloses a peripheral magnetic tape drive. The tape drive comprises: ahousing; a SAS compliant tape drive module; a power supply; and a USB-Cto SAS assembly. The SAS-compliant tape drive module; the power supply;and the USB-C to SAS assembly are disposed within the housing.

The power supply is operatively coupled to the tape drive module tosupply +12V and +5V power. The power supply also is operatively coupledto the USB-C to SAS assembly to supply +12V power.

The USB-C to SAS assembly is operatively coupled to the tape drivemodule using a SAS data channel. The USB-C to SAS assembly is configuredto enable the peripheral magnetic tape drive to interface a USB-Ccompliant device with the SAS compliant tape drive module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, in which:

FIG. 1 is an orthographic top view of a first example magnetic tapedrive.

FIG. 2 is a front side view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 3 is a rear side view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 8 is a 3D exploded view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram of the first example magnetic tapedrive.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the first example magnetictape drive connected to a computer.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

The following reference characters identify the associated elementsdepicted in the drawings describing the present invention:

-   100 Magnetic Tape Drive-   106 Tape Drive Module-   102 Outer Cover-   108 Blank Insert-   104 Front Bezel-   110A USB-C Receptacle 1-   110B USB-C Receptacle 2-   308 Aperture 1 (PS Cooling Fan)-   112 Cartridge Receiving Slot-   310 Aperture 2 (Cooling Fan)-   114 Cartridge Ejection Button-   312 Finger Guard-   120 TB3/PCI-e Card-   502 Chassis Assembly-   122 PCI-e/SAS Card-   504 Grate-   202A-D Feet-   802 Power Supply-   302 Rear Plate-   804 Cooling Fan-   304 Power Receptacle-   806 Divider-   306 Power Switch-   808 Front Plate

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To address the deficiencies of the prior art, the present applicationdiscloses an improved magnetic tape drive. The magnetic tape drive ofthe present application embodies several improvements over the priorart. According to one aspect of the present application, the disclosedmagnetic tape drive may comprise a Thunderbolt® 3 interface which allowsapproximately four times the data transfer bandwidth of prior art tapedrives. According to another aspect of the present application, thedisclosed magnetic tape drive may use a connection to daisy chain otherexternal devices, while also supplying such devices with up to 100 W ofpower.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an orthographic view of anexample magnetic tape drive 100. Example tape drive 100 comprises anouter cover 102 and a front bezel 104 to partially enclose, retain, andprotect interior elements of magnetic tape drive 100. Outer cover 102and front bezel 104 may be constructed, for example, from steelpre-plating having a thickness of 1.0 mm. One of ordinary skill willrecognize that outer cover 102 and front bezel 104 could be constructedfrom various other materials such as die-cast aluminum, or moldedplastic.

Tape drive 100 further comprises a tape drive module 106, and two USB-Ccable receptacles 110A and 110B. Tape drive module may comprise, forexample, a tape drive module compatible with Linear Tape-Open (LTO)magnetic tape media. Tape drive 100 is capable of supporting a secondtape drive module (not shown). When tape drive 100 is configured toinclude a single tape drive module 106, tape drive 100 may comprise ablank insert 108 to act as a placeholder for a second tape drive moduleand to protect the interior elements of tape drive 100.

Referring now to FIG. 2, tape drive module 106 is operative to read andwrite magnetic tape cartridges (not shown) which may store large amountsof digital data. Tape drive module 106 receives and ejects a magnetictape cartridge via cartridge receiving slot 112 which may comprise aspring loaded, protective door. A user may eject the magnetic tapecartridge from tape drive module 106 using cartridge ejection button114. Front feet 202A and 202B, which partially support magnetic tapedrive 100, are also illustrated in FIG. 2.

Magnetic tape drive 100 employs a Thunderbolt® 3 (TB3) communicationinterface to communicate with a personal computer and/or other devices.Magnetic tape drive 100 further comprises receptacles 110A and 110B forreceiving Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB-C) connectors. Receptacles110A and 110B provide access to PCI-e to TB3 card 120 (best shown inFIG. 8) which converts between a Thunderbolt® 3 interface protocol and aPeripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-e) interface protocol.Card 120 is operatively coupled to SAS/PCI-e card 122 which in turn isoperatively coupled to tape drive module 106, thereby enabling tapedrive module 106 to communicate with devices supporting the Thunderbolt®3 interface. The SAS/PCI-e card 122 converts between a PeripheralComponent Interconnect Express (PCI-e) interface protocol and aserial-attached-SCSI (SAS) interface protocol. As known in the art, SCSIrefers to a Small Computer System Interface. PCI-e to TB3 card 120 maycomprise an adapter card such as Areca Technology Corporation model no.ARC-4050-T3, for example. SAS/PCI-e card 122 may comprise an adaptercard such as Areca Technology Corporation model no. ARC-1330-8T, forexample.

Referring now to FIG. 3, magnetic tape drive 100 further comprises arear plate 302 covering the rear portion of the interior of magnetictape drive 100. As illustrated in FIG. 3, magnetic tape drive 100further comprises a power receptacle 304 for receiving a cord supplyingtape drive 100 with 120V external power. Power switch 306 may beintegrated into, or provided separate from, power supply 802 (best shownin FIG. 8) for turning tape drive 100 on and off. Power supply 802 maycomprise a power supply such as Seasonic model no. SSP-250SUB, forexample. Rear plate 302 comprises two exhaust apertures 308 and 310 fordissipating heat from tape drive 100. Aperture 308 enables power supply802 to dissipate heat using an integrated power supply cooling fan.Aperture 310 enables heat to be dissipated from a cooling fan 804 (bestshown in FIG. 8) located within tape drive 100. A finger guard 312 orother protective grate may be used to cover aperture 310.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is depicted a top plan view of magnetictape drive 100. As illustrated, magnetic tape drive 100 comprises topplate 102.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is depicted a bottom plan view of magnetictape drive 100. As illustrated, magnetic tape drive 100 comprises achassis assembly 502. Feet 202A-D may be attached to chassis assembly502, and chassis assembly 502 may include a grate 504 to maintain properair flow through the device to cool internal components. In the exampleembodiment, grate 504 may operate as an air intake for the cooling fansdescribed above.

FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively depict right and left side views of magnetictape drive 100.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is depicted a 3D exploded view ofmagnetic tape drive 100. FIG. 8 illustrates the cooperation and relativeexample positions of the components of magnetic tape drive 100. Asshown, FIG. 8 depicts divider plate 806 which is configured to separatetape drive module 106 and power supply 802. As shown tape drive 100further comprises a front plate 808 for securing front bezel 104 tochassis assembly 502.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is depicted a schematic diagram of thecomponents of magnetic tape drive 100. As illustrated, power supply 802supplies power to various components of tape drive 100.

Accordingly, power supply 802 supplies +12V power to cooling fan 804.Power supply 802 further supplies +12V power to SAS/PCI-e card 122.Power supply 802 also supplies +12V power to the tape drive module 106to operate an internal motor and +5V power to the tape drive module 106to operate a logic board. As illustrated, SAS/PCI-e card 122 supplies aSAS data signal to/from tape drive module 106. In the exampleembodiment, the 12-volt (+12V) and 5-volt (+5V) power supplied by thepower supply 802 is direct current (DC) power.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is depicted a schematic diagramillustrating the magnetic tape drive 100 connected to a computer. Asillustrated at blocks 1002 and 1004, the tape drive module 106 isconnected to the SAS/PCI-e adapter card. At blocks 1004 and 1006, theSAS/PCI-e interface is connected to the PCI-e/TB3 adapter card. Atblocks 1006-1010, a Thunderbolt® 3 cable, or equivalent USB-C cable,connects the PCI-e/TB3 adapter card to a desktop or laptop computer.

While the devices, systems, methods, and so on have been illustrated bydescribing examples, and while the examples have been described inconsiderable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant torestrict, or in any way, limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe devices, systems, methods, and so on provided herein. Additionaladvantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in theart. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited tothe specific details and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations,modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appendedclaims. The preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of theinvention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

Finally, to the extent that the term “includes” or “including” isemployed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising,” as that term isinterpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed in the claims(e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When theapplicants intend to indicate “only A or B, but not both,” then the term“only A or B but not both” will be employed. Similarly, when theapplicants intend to indicate “one and only one” of A, B, or C, theapplicants will employ the phrase “one and only one.” Thus, use of theterm “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See BryanA. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995).

What is claimed is:
 1. A peripheral magnetic tape drive, said tape drivecomprising: a housing; a SAS-compliant tape drive module disposed withinthe housing, the SAS-compliant tape drive module being compatible withLTO magnetic tape media, and the SAS-compliant tape drive module havingan SAS connector; a Thunderbolt® 3 (TB3) to SAS assembly disposed withinthe housing, the TB3 to SAS assembly operatively connected to the SASconnector of the tape drive module using a SAS data channel, the TB3 toSAS assembly having at least one TB3 port accessible from outside thehousing, the TB3 to SAS assembly configured to enable the peripheralmagnetic tape drive to interface a TB3-compliant device with theSAS-compliant tape drive module via the at least one TB3 port; and apower supply disposed within the housing, the power supply operativelycoupled to the tape drive module and the TB3 to SAS assembly so as tosupply power for the tape drive module and the TB3 to SAS assembly. 2.The peripheral magnetic tape drive according to claim 1, furthercomprising a cooling fan disposed within the housing, the cooling fanoperatively connected to the power supply so as to receive power fromthe power supply.
 3. The peripheral magnetic tape drive according toclaim 1, wherein the TB3-compliant device comprises a TB3-compliantlaptop computer or a TB3-compliant desktop computer.
 4. The peripheralmagnetic tape drive according to claim 1, wherein the TB3 to SASassembly sends and receives data using a Thunderbolt® 3 interfaceprotocol.
 5. A peripheral magnetic tape drive, said tape drivecomprising: a housing; a SAS-compliant tape drive module disposed withinthe housing, the SAS-compliant tape drive module being compatible withLTO magnetic tape media, and the SAS-compliant tape drive module havingan SAS connector; a power supply operatively coupled to the tape drivemodule to supply +12V and +5V power; and a Thunderbolt® 3 (TB3) to SASassembly operatively connected to the SAS connector of the tape drivemodule using a SAS data channel, the TB3 to SAS assembly having at leastone TB3 port accessible from outside the housing, the TB3 to SASassembly configured to enable the peripheral magnetic tape drive tointerface a TB3-compliant device with the SAS-compliant tape drivemodule via the at least one TB3 port, the TB3 to SAS assembly sendingand receiving data using a Thunderbolt® 3 (TB3) interface protocol, theTB3 to SAS assembly further operatively coupled to the power supply toreceive +12V power.
 6. The peripheral magnetic tape drive according toclaim 5, further comprising a cooling fan disposed within the housing,the cooling fan operatively connected to the power supply, the coolingfan receiving +12V power from the power supply.
 7. The peripheralmagnetic tape drive according to claim 5, wherein the power supplycomprises a 250 watt power supply.
 8. The peripheral magnetic tape driveaccording to claim 5, wherein the TB3 to SAS assembly comprises aSAS/PCI-e card for supplying a SAS data signal to, and from theSAS-compliant tape drive module, and the TB3 to SAS assembly furthercomprises a PCI-e to TB3 card for converting between the TB3 interfaceprotocol and a PCI-e interface protocol.
 9. A peripheral magnetic tapedrive, said tape drive comprising: a housing; a SAS-compliant tape drivemodule disposed within the housing, the SAS-compliant tape drive modulehaving an SAS connector; a Thunderbolt® 3 (TB3) to SAS assembly disposedwithin the housing, the TB3 to SAS assembly operatively connected to theSAS connector of the tape drive module using a SAS data channel, the TB3to SAS assembly having at least one TB3 port accessible from outside thehousing, the TB3 to SAS assembly configured to enable the peripheralmagnetic tape drive to interface a TB3-compliant device with theSAS-compliant tape drive module via the at least one TB3 port, the TB3to SAS assembly sending and receiving data using a Thunderbolt® 3 (TB3)interface protocol, the TB3 to SAS assembly comprising a SAS/PCI-e cardfor supplying a SAS data signal to, and from the SAS-compliant tapedrive module, and the TB3 to SAS assembly further comprising a PCI-e toTB3 card for converting between the TB3 interface protocol and a PCI-einterface protocol; and a power supply disposed within the housing, thepower supply operatively coupled to the tape drive module and the TB3 toSAS assembly so as to supply power for the tape drive module and the TB3to SAS assembly.
 10. The peripheral magnetic tape drive according toclaim 9, wherein the SAS-compliant tape drive module is compatible withLTO magnetic tape media.
 11. The peripheral magnetic tape driveaccording to claim 9, further comprising a cooling fan disposed withinthe housing, the cooling fan operatively connected to the power supplyso as to receive power from the power supply.
 12. The peripheralmagnetic tape drive according to claim 9, wherein the TB3-compliantdevice comprises a TB3-compliant laptop computer or a TB3-compliantdesktop computer.
 13. The peripheral magnetic tape drive according toclaim 9, wherein the power supply is operatively coupled to the tapedrive module to supply +12V and +5V power.
 14. The peripheral magnetictape drive according to claim 1, wherein the at least one TB3 port ofthe TB3 to SAS assembly is located on a side of the housing beneath thetape drive module.
 15. The peripheral magnetic tape drive according toclaim 5, wherein the at least one TB3 port of the TB3 to SAS assembly islocated on a side of the housing beneath the tape drive module.
 16. Theperipheral magnetic tape drive according to claim 9, wherein the atleast one TB3 port of the TB3 to SAS assembly is located on a side ofthe housing beneath the tape drive module.